Chapter 8: Having Her All To Himself

The club was ended and almost all the cake was gone. Granted, a lot of it went inside Mitsukuni and the loli-boy's limo but many of the guests were pleased with the desert choices this time, glad that there was more of a variety than usual. And Kyoya was already in the process of getting the school to allow Artemis to use their kitchens to make the food. It would cut down on costs and allow them more funds for other more important parts of running the Host Club. But it was getting late and they all needed to get home. So after discussing the situation with the stoic Mori, everyone parted ways.

Kaoru was still trying to talk to the slave girl and getting in the way of Honey and Kyoya's plan. So the duo practically kidnapped her and dragged her over to her tall master-to-be. "Takashi, you better take Artemis-chan home. She looks tired and has had a long day," the childish senior said, smiling up at the two of them.

Kyoya nodded with a cool smile that chilled her bones. "Yes, Mori-sempai, you'd best be off quickly before something unforeseen sweeps her off her feet..." He didn't add the '... and into bed' part of the sentance. After all, even if he was a teenager, he was the cream-of-the-crop and above such vulgar humor. A gentleman never says such things in the presence of others.

Takashi nodded and gently guided her to the limo that was waiting for him. Honey had told him earlier that he was going to get a ride with Kyoya after talking to him about the types of cakes that were yummy and the ones that weren't as popular with the ladies. But although the tall senior sensed that there was something more going on, he didn't comment on it. After all, this was a time where he could enjoy Artemis's company without certain redheads trying to force her into anything.

He assisted her into the limo and sat down beside her, the door shut after him. And then, moments later, the long car took off towards the Morinozuka mansion. It was a silent ride- Artemis did not talk unless directed to and the samurai-heir rarely spoke. He tried to compliment her on her cakes and she gave a nod and a smile.

"I'm glad you liked them. Which one was your favorite so I don't make so much the next time?" she asked curiously.

He didn't really know how to answer. He wasn't fond of sweets and only ate the cakes that his guests wanted to feed him. "The chocolate... it wasn't as sweet as the others," he finally said, feeling like an idiot.

But Artemis accepted the answer. "Mitsukuni-sama said that he liked them all. The Hitachiin-sans' didn't like the coconut cake but Kaoru Hitachiin-san still ate it..."

Takashi's eyes narrowed. He didn't want to talk about that boy. So he changed the subject. "Kyoya is fine with you making whatever kind of cakes you can. The guests liked the variety and it saved him a lot on expenses. He wants you to bake for the club full-time."

"Does that mean that I'll be able to be with you more, Master?" She looked up at him and their eyes locked.

"... yes..."

The silent host didn't know what was going on. One minute, they were talking about her success and the next, he was brushing his lips against hers. When had he moved down to kiss her? Why wasn't she pushing him away? ... stupid question. Did she actually like the kiss? It wouldn't matter since she believed her opinions as a slave were meaningless.

She gently kissed him back, sending shocks of pleasure up and down his spine. Her lips were soft and compliant, her tongue gently slipping out to touch his pressing lips. He knew that he should stop this before it got too serious and she thought that he wanted her for her body but his own body refused to comply. In fact, his lips opened and his tongue slipped out to touch hers, his hand moving up into her lovely hair.

Artemis's hands were on his waist, unmoving though her nails were kneeding into his flesh through his uniform. No thought was necessary, it was all feelings on their parts. It didn't seem like she was making any decisions for herself, though. Just following along a script that was already written for her by her last master. It made him feel alone in this moment but he knew that this was more than just a good time on his end. She wanted this too- a love that wasn't forced, a place in his heart where she didn't have to be an obediant little slave girl. It was a desire that she'd given up on long ago.

But even having given up, she was passionate to please and that made him feel... like a monster. Was he taking advantage of her willingness? It was just a kiss to some but it felt like something much more to him.

A clearing of the throat brought Takashi back to reality and he pulled away to see the limo was parked in front of his house and the driver was standing in front of the open door with a light blush on his face.

The Morinozuka heir removed himself completely from Artemis and fixed her hair before getting out of the limo and holding out a hand for her to take. He saw the small smirk on the driver's face and blushed softly underneath his tan complexion. When she was standing, he took her hand in his and walked to the mansion, trying to ignore the silent teasing that floated off the driver. He couldn't believe that he'd just attacked her like that! Clearly she needed to learn how to protect herself.

"Do you know how to fight?"

Artemis looked up at him, confused. Why would the tall male ask such a question? "N-no... my old master wanted a compliant slave with no way to defend against his anger."

"... then I'll teach you."

She couldn't see his face but his words were unbelievable. A master wanting a slave to fight? Was he a masochist? Did he like to get beat up before he satisfied his carnal masculine lust? "Master? I don't understand. Slaves are supposed to submit to their master's whims, do what they are ordered without refusal or hesitation... or else be punished."

Takashi could see that this was getting nowhere. He could tell her the truth- that he would feel better if she knew how to defend herself against his advances. But she wouldn't accept that. She would just say the same old stuff she always said. So he decided to try a different approach. "Then why are you arguing with me? If I want you to be trained in fighting, that is my decision..."

Artemis bowed her head in shame. "Forgive me, Master. I was not trying to argue. Slaves just aren't... But they are not your slaves. I will learn to fight by your hand..."

The silent samurai nodded and turned away. "If I am to have a slave, she will not be so weak as the others. You will fight, if for nothing else, to defend the honor of your place within the Morinozuka compound. If you are defeated, you will be trained more." He hoped that she would accept this and move on. He was getting tired of arguing with her, trying to get her to relax and rest her wounds. And he really didn't want to keep talking so much.

The raven-haired beauty nodded. "I understand now, Master. Forgive my ignorance. I would be honored to learn to fight for your honor."

He looked back at her. Did he look like he couldn't fight for himself? Oh, nevermind... at least it got her off of the slave bandwagon for now. She would be able to protect herself and if that old master of hers showed up when he wasn't around, she could defend herself until he showed up. Mori had the unique ability to show up whenever one of his friends was in imminent danger. He simply let it go and lead her upstairs, his hand still holding hers.

Satoshi opened the door and grinned when he saw his brother. "Taka! Artemis-chan! Did you have fun at school? I- Taka... why are you holding her hand? You... you're together, aren't you? But you told me that everything was a misunderstanding! My big brother would never lie to me so I must have gotten something confused! Let's see... you were undressing her- mmph!"

Takashi's hand was now over his little brother's mouth, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment. No one needed to know about this morning, even if it was innocent. Satoshi had an uncanny ability to make everything sound much worse than it actually was. He just hopped that no one heard him.

"Takashi-sama... your mother and father would like to speak with you... I will escort Artemis-chan to her room..." a random maid said, her cheeks red.

Of course they heard... his little brother had a bigger mouth than Tamaki... and Takashi's luck was just as bad. He looked at Artemis and nodded morosely before going to talk to his parents, taking Satoshi with him. Clearly they all needed to talk about this before it got worse. This was going to take a while...

((How's that for bonding time, nekojoshi? Granted it got interrupted... but isn't that was younger siblings and parents are for? Next chapters going to be focused on the talk with his family... lots of misunderstandings on his brother and mother's parts and his father is too inquisitive to do anything but hit the nail on the head. So read and review! And you'll get awkwardness galore!))